CALGARY, Alberta — In just about one month, Wojtek Wolski has gone from getting the first opportunity to play left wing on the first line with Brad Richards and Marian Gaborik to becoming an unmistakable object of derision by coach John Tortorella.

Wolski has missed the last three games with a groin issue he first developed midway through Rangers training camp. Tortorella was asked following yesterday’s practice in Vancouver whether the winger might be available for tonight’s match against the Flames.

“We can’t get him out of the tub,” the coach said, despite the fact Wolski practiced yesterday after taking part in the morning skate on Tuesday.

Wolski, who likely would replace either Erik Christensen or Kris Newbury on the fourth line when he returns, is in the final year of his contract under which he carries a $3.8 million cap hit.

Presumably there are hot tubs in Hartford, too.

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Michael Sauer, who has been sidelined the last two games after aggravating the shoulder injury in Stockholm that he first sustained in a Sept. 26 exhibition game in Philadelphia, said, “It’s better, for sure.”

“I have to start getting into battles in practice and see how it responds,” Sauer said after taking part in a practice that for the most part was a non-contact exercise for the club. “Then again, they might say if I’m ready for hitting that I should test it in a game; I don’t know.

“I definitely feel an improvement. But I have to get back on the ice and also stay on top of it with my off-ice work. But am I closer? Most definitely.”

Tortorella said he had not checked Sauer’s status with medical trainer Jim Ramsay, but regarded the defenseman as, “day to day.”

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Marty Biron, who has not played since the Oct. 2 exhibition match in Zug, Switzerland would seem the likely starter in goal tonight. . . . The Rangers, 0-for-4 on the power play in 4:29 on Tuesday, are 0-for-16 in 23:38 for the season. The Rangers killed all eight Vancouver power plays in 12:29 of man-advantage time and have killed 24 of 27 while down for 41:29. Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky have put the Rangers in shorthanded situations four times apiece, most among the club in that dubious distinction.